Rockets center Dwight Howard unwraps ice packs on his legs while speaking with the media.

Rockets center Dwight Howard unwraps ice packs on his legs while speaking with the media.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Rockets shooting guard James Harden talks with the media.

Rockets shooting guard James Harden talks with the media.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin during a team practice in the Philippines.

Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin during a team practice in the Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin talks with the media.

Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin talks with the media.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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The Rockets take a team photo at the Mall of Asia.

The Rockets take a team photo at the Mall of Asia.

Photo: Jonathan Feigen / Houston Chronicle

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James Harden sees the sights in Manila in the NBA global games mobile.

James Harden sees the sights in Manila in the NBA global games mobile.

Photo: Jonathan Feigen / Houston Chronicle

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Jeremy Lin poses near the Mall of Asia in the Philippines.

Jeremy Lin poses near the Mall of Asia in the Philippines.

Photo: Jonathan Feigen / Houston Chronicle

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Fans in the Philippines react at the sight of the Rockets

Fans in the Philippines react at the sight of the Rockets

Photo: Jonathan Feigen / Houston Chronicle

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James Harden talks with Indiana Pacers forward Paul George on Tuesday.

James Harden talks with Indiana Pacers forward Paul George on Tuesday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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James Harden (front) looks on as he stretches with teammates during practice on Tuesday.

James Harden (front) looks on as he stretches with teammates during practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Jeremy Lin talks to reporters after practice on Tuesday.

Jeremy Lin talks to reporters after practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Jeremy Lin attempts a shot at practice on Tuesday.

Jeremy Lin attempts a shot at practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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James Harden at practice on Tuesday.

James Harden at practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Jeremy Lin is interviewed by a horde of reporters during a break in his team's practice at the Mall of Asia Arena at suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday.

Jeremy Lin is interviewed by a horde of reporters during a break in his team's practice at the Mall of Asia Arena at suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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James Harden, center, listens to coach Kevin McHale, left, during their team practice on Tuesday.

James Harden, center, listens to coach Kevin McHale, left, during their team practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Dwight Howard shares a laugh with reporters on Tuesday.

Dwight Howard shares a laugh with reporters on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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James Harden puts up a shot at practice on Tuesday.

James Harden puts up a shot at practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin attempts a shot during practice on Tuesday.

Jeremy Lin attempts a shot during practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin laughs during practice on Tuesday.

Jeremy Lin laughs during practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Dwight Howard gestures to fans upon arrival at Manila's International Airport on Monday.

Dwight Howard gestures to fans upon arrival at Manila's International Airport on Monday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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James Harden gestures to fans upon arrival at Manila's International Airport on Monday.

James Harden gestures to fans upon arrival at Manila's International Airport on Monday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Fans take photos of Rockets guard James Harden while he waits to get on the bus.

Fans take photos of Rockets guard James Harden while he waits to get on the bus.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin, second from right, waves to fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Jeremy Lin, second from right, waves to fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin waves to fans after boarding the bus.

Jeremy Lin waves to fans after boarding the bus.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin waves to fans after boarding the bus.

Jeremy Lin waves to fans after boarding the bus.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Jeremy Lin gestures to fans while Chandler Parsons, right, looks on.

Jeremy Lin gestures to fans while Chandler Parsons, right, looks on.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Jeremy Lin waves to fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Jeremy Lin waves to fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin takes photos of fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Jeremy Lin takes photos of fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin takes photos of fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Jeremy Lin takes photos of fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Pacers to offer Rockets tough preseason tests

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As much as the Rockets’ trip to the Philippines and Taiwan offers unusual challenges, the opponent they face Thursday and Sunday brings the kind of test they need.

The Pacers were Eastern Conference finalists last season and beat the Rockets in both meetings. They might have gotten stronger with the additions of Luis Scola and C.J. Watson.

“They’re kind of where we want to get,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “They’re very solid. They’re bringing back almost their entire team. They got to the conference finals last year. They’re where we’ll get. It will be a great test for us. As we’re trying to figure out lineups and trying to figure out combinations that fit, they have all that stuff figured out. Playing them will be good for us.”

The significance of the games, with Thursday’s the first between NBA teams in the Philippines, has been clear, but forward Chandler Parsons said the team has not forgotten the importance of the games.

“We understand that,” Parsons said. “We’re just looking for ways to get better. Obviously, we’re a little exhausted and fatigued from the travel, but I’m sure once the ball goes up we’ll be ready to play.

“First of all, it’s a huge honor to play here in the Philippines. … It’s awesome to come here and take in this culture and put on a show for them. To be able to play a team like the Pacers, with their caliber, they’re one of the best teams in the East. I think it will be a good test to see where we stand against one of the other best teams in the NBA. What better place to play them than in the Philippines?”

Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

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from left: Chandler Parsons, Dwight Howard, James Harden and Jeremy Lin share a laugh as they pose for pictures during media day at Toyota Center.

from left: Chandler Parsons, Dwight Howard, James Harden and Jeremy Lin share a laugh as they pose for pictures during media day at Toyota Center.

Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

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Dwight Howard poses in front of a videoboard.

Dwight Howard poses in front of a videoboard.

Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

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James Harden plays with a ball while being filmed during media day.

James Harden plays with a ball while being filmed during media day.

Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

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Dwight Howard poses in front of a videoboard.

Dwight Howard poses in front of a videoboard.

Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

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Dwight Howard poses in front of a videoboard.

Dwight Howard poses in front of a videoboard.

Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

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James Harden, left, and Jeremy Lin share a laugh.

James Harden, left, and Jeremy Lin share a laugh.

Photo: George Bridges / MCT

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Patrick Beverley, left, and James Harden share a laugh.

Patrick Beverley, left, and James Harden share a laugh.

Photo: George Bridges / MCT

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From left: Dwight Howard, James Harden and Jeremy Lin pose for photos.

From left: Dwight Howard, James Harden and Jeremy Lin pose for photos.